All of its ingredients are cheap generic medicines, meaning the cost of producing it is relatively low.

It is thought that by combining the drugs in one daily pill that more people are likely to take it.

The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, was led by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

"Our research has shown a polypill prevents heart disease in a developing country and is an important step forward in preventing heart disease," said Professor Reza Malekzadeh.

Dr Tom Marshall, from the University of Birmingham, a co-author of the study, said the results show the polypill is a "viable strategy" to prevent heart disease in developing countries.

"It's much simpler to give people one medication that manages a couple of risk factors at the same time," he said.

Dr Marshall said the benefits would not be as great for people who already have access to good healthcare, but in poorer countries with a less developed infrastructure it could provide "a significant advantage".